About Strengths in Focus
A little SIF history
On the heals of 27 years in education and social services, Strengths in Focus was founded by Chris Trout in 2004 (it's original name was "Sunfire Spirit") to provide resources and training for parents, educators and youth development professionals about the concept of resiliency, particularly in challenged and challenging youth. Early versions of the Ezine and a variety of training workshops soon captured the attention of colleagues across the US. In 2005, Chris frequently presented with resiliency training pioneer and author, Nan Henderson, and from April to October 2005 Chris and Nan merged their respective online publications. As their paths diverged later that year, Chris focused SIF's mission on the exploration of strength-focused thinking, perception and application, the common thread in 30 years of hands on work with youth and adults. In May 2006, Strengths in Focus published Reflecting Strengths: Transformative Stories from Resilient Youth, by Chris Trout, a collection of 21 reflections on strengths-focused ideas and strategies. During the same period, Chris launched the Strengths Blog and introduced his signature 2-day intensive training, Transforming Lives. Now, with nearly 2000 readers in more than a dozen countries around the world, Strengths in Focus has expanded again, introducing many new products and learning opportunities in The Strengths Shop.
So what can SIF do for you?
With a mission to share transformative ideas internationally through speaking, writing, teaching and mentoring, SIF strives to make it easy, whether you are planning a huge conference, supporting your own staff or seeking insight and inspiration for yourself.
- Keynotes and Chris' signature breakout session.
- Seminars in one day and two day formats (please discuss briefer formats with Chris).
- A special Hosting Program, which allows you to host a premier training in your area with little to no financial outlay.
- Personal Coaching with Chris via phone and email.
- Strengths at Work, a new program in which Chris helps your team assess their individual and group strengths and design systems that maximize the benefits of these strengths.
- Strengths Ezine, a quick-read weekly dose of insight, information and inspiration (free).
- Strengths Blog, Chris' opportunity to write informally about all things strengths related.
To learn more about Chris Trout, visit Meet Chris or explore the Meeting Planner's Kit, including What Others Say and the Sample Client List. Want to know about the philosophy behind the mission? See our Guiding Philosophy. And if you are all about the nitty-gritty details, check out our Policies and the FAQ in the Planner's Kit.